Nov 4, 2007, 9:37 GMT
New York - Former US marathon champion Ryan Shay collapsed and died on Saturday during a qualifying race for the US Olympic marathon team.
The 28-year-old collapsed some nine kilometres into the 42.195km race in Central Park and even though he immediately received medical attention he could not be saved.
The cause of death is not known at this stage.
The head of New York City marathon Mary Wittenberg and the head of the US athletics federation Craig Masback said they were very saddened about Shay's death.
Shay, who won a total of five US championships, was one of the favourites to qualify for the 2004 Olympics, but an injury during the race forced him to withdraw.
His wife Alicia is also a professional runner.
The winner of Saturday's qualifying race, Ryan Hall, who was friends with Shay, said that his thoughts and prayers were with Shay's family and Alicia.
It is the second running death within a week in the US. A week ago a hobby runner collapsed and died during the Chicago marathon.
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